News: A study published in Nature Communications has estimated the amount of microplastic pollution in the Atlantic Ocean and put it at 11.6-21.1 million tonnes.
Facts:
- Microplastics: These are plastic debris smaller than 5mm in length or about the size of a sesame seed.
- Sources: They can be divided into two main categories according to their source:
- Primary microplastics:
- Directly released in the environment as small particles
- Main sources: laundering of synthetic clothes, abrasion of tyres through driving, intentionally added microplastics in personal care products for example microbeads in facial scrubs.
- Secondary microplastics:
- Originate from degradation of larger plastic objects such as plastic bags, bottles or fishing nets.
- Primary microplastics:
- Effects of Microplastics:
- Microplastics found in the sea can be ingested by marine animals.The plastic then accumulates and can end up in humans through the food chain.
- Consumption of plastic by humans is harmful since several chemicals that are used to produce plastics can be carcinogenic.
